Joe Duffy thanked Normal People author Sally Rooney for making him a 'household name'

The Liveline star said that his daughters 'loved' her book and spoke out about that debate.

Joe Duffy has jokingly thanked Normal People author Sally Rooney for making him a 'household name.'

The Liveline star also said that his daughters 'loved' her book and spoke out about that debate.

The Hulu series has been a huge success since it's recent release.

However, the shows sex scenes have sparked controversy over the past few weeks - and a massive debate on the RTE radio show too.

In fact, the series has created so much controversy, that Joe even jokingly sent Sally a message of thanks.

Speaking on RTE’s Today Show, Joe said: “I sent her a text saying, ‘My daughters loved the book and well done. You’ve brought light to people’s lives.'”

“And I just said to her at the end, ‘Sally, thanks very much, you’ve made me a household name in Ireland so I really appreciate it.'

“It was a good debate actually. It’s the world we live in, people forget that the last three of four referendums on social issues, they’ve been fairly tight.”

“They have been fairly tight so there’s a significant group of people out there who need to be heard and they let themselves be heard on Normal People.”

Joe went on to say that he was 'very conscious' of the debate, but feels that people were 'treated respectfully' throughout.

“I asked them on the day and I was very conscious of it. I think they were treated respectfully.

"Very few countries, mainly because of the population, you can't have a national debate in the UK for example.

“You can still have it here, now maybe it is slipping away but you can still have it here, a programme that has Donegal, Donabate, Kerry and Ballyfermot people talking to each other and sharing experiences or helping each other as has happened around this pandemic.”